Hamburgers and other fatty foods were the predominant part of Gary Smith's diet until he underwent open-heart surgery a couple of years ago.

But when physicians told him to clean up his act or expect a shorter life span, the 44-year-old father from Lehi began walking, then running, and monitoring the fat content in his foods.

"The diet thing is hard to do, especially with all the convenient and pre-made foods around," Smith said. "I just got that scar to look at to remind myself to try to behave."

The father of four runs a few times a week and now includes a half-marathon on his list of accomplishments, but Smith wants to complete the ultimate goal of running the Deseret News marathon on July 24.

From his home in Lehi, Smith runs to the top of Draper and back, and although he isn't tracking miles, he has jogged for almost 4 hours in one setting.

"Everyone said I'd learn to like running, and I'm still trying to like it," Smith said. "The hardest thing is trying to find an hour to squeeze in to run and taking that first step."

As part of his training, Smith competes in small 5K and 10K races along the way, and just a couple weeks ago raced against two surgeons from the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center team that operated on Smith in 2007.

Smith crossed the finish line 30 seconds ahead of heart surgeon Lee McCann in the first Race for Red 5K run and walk.

"We talked with (Gary Smith) after, and he had brought up the fact that he'd had the operation," McCann said. "He'd lost so much weight that Dr. Mitchell, who operated on him, didn't even recognize him."

Smith has dropped 80 pounds and substantially lowered his cholesterol levels — all in the hope to be around for his children when they need him. John Mitchell, the surgeon who operated on Smith, said he was surprised and thrilled to see the changes Smith made after a couple years. Most patients will increase their exercise level, but fewer make significant weight changes, Mitchell said.

"The fact that (Gary) lost 90 pounds was an incredible improvement in his long-term survival," Mitchell said. "It really was an immeasurable change that he made. His re-vascularized heart will improve short-term survival, but losing the 90 pounds improves his long-term survival and the durability of the operation."

Although surgery helps patients such as Smith have a longer life, Mitchell said more people should focus on prevention through diet and exercise. Smith still tracks what he eats and looks out for foods high in saturated fats.

"I used to miss hamburgers, but now it's been long enough that I don't," he said. "I think now if I tried one it wouldn't taste very good. Every once in a while, I'll go out and eat. I can tell it upsets me if I eat something too greasy."

E-MAIL: lgroves@desnews.com